Town of Franklin 2013 Master Plan Public Draft

Committee Report
MPC formed in 2010
Last Master Plan done in 1997 Updates roadmap for towns future

Utilized draft existing conditions Proposed Goals for each Element Vision for community Recommendations Public Comment Period Final approval in September

M.G.L. c. 41, 81D

Master Plans are: A statement through text, maps, illustrations or other forms of communication that is designed to provide a basis for decision making regarding the longterm physical development of the municipality

Elements of a Master Plan

Land Use; Natural, Cultural and Historic Resources; Open Space and Recreation; Circulation (Transportation); Housing; Economic Development; and Community Services and Facilities.

The Master Plan Committee

Members: Jeff Roy, Chair Matt Kelly, Vice Chair Andy Bissanti, Secretary Dave Dobrzynski Christine Apicella Jeff Livingstone Greg Rondeau Tim Twardowski Nathan Carlucci Gene Grella Chris Vericker John Carroll

Four Sub-Committees
Land Use + Economic Development
Matt Kelly, Chair Andy Bissanti Nathan Carlucci Christi Apicella Dave Dobrzynski Greg Rondeau

Community Services and Facilities

Jay Duncan, Chair Gene Grella Jeff Roy

Circulation + Housing
John Carroll, Chair Christi Apicella Christopher Vericker

Open Space & Recreation + Natural, Cultural & Historic Resources

Jeff Livingstone, Chair Tim Twardowski Jeff Roy Dave Dobrzynski

Mission
High quality education Superb delivery of public services Attract and retain businesses Cultivate:
open space a sense of neighborhood, and a desire to preserve the character of our New England town

Mission
Safe and efficient movement of people and goods Dedicated to
effective planning responsible land use balanced growth responsive government racial, religious and economic diversity, and care and concern for citizens and environment

Mission
We value our
Arts Cultural and natural resources Heritage, and History

Foster a well-balanced community.

Documents to consider
Goals and policies Existing conditions reports Implementation plan

Vision
To be a vibrant community that supports the arts, non-profit organizations, higher education and businesses in an atmosphere that allows growth and prosperity while at the same time conserving our heritage, natural resources, and history. We will build on and celebrate our uniqueness as a community and maintain the quality of life that is a strength and competitive advantage.

Subcommittee chairs will describe. . .

GOALS FOR EACH ELEMENT

Land Use
Goal 1: Encourage development of medium-density and high-density workforce housing in areas of Town where property is underutilized or needs redevelopment, and where public transit is available.

Land Use
Goal 2: Promote mixed-use development in appropriate areas.

Land Use
Goal 3: Encourage expansion and retention of current businesses and attraction of new businesses in appropriate locations.

Land Use
Goal 4: Create Transitional Use Zones to buffer residential buildings from non-residential uses.

Land Use
Goal 5: Preserve and enhance existing unprotected natural and open space resources in Franklin

Land Use
Goal 6: Make Franklin a Green Community.

Economic Development
Goal 1: Adopt strategies that will promote higher levels of investment in the Towns industrial areas, and increase related property tax yields.

Economic Development
Goal 2: Adopt strategies that will support the Town of Franklins small business community, promote higher levels of commercial investment, and increase related property tax yields.

Economic Development
Goal 3: Work to revitalize Franklins Downtown core and adjacent neighborhoods.

Economic Development
Goal 4: Adopt strategies that will promote workforce development, attract skilled workers to the region, and increase employment options for the Towns current residents.

Economic Development
Goal 5: Support and strengthen the Town of Franklins business retention and attraction initiatives, activities and strategies.

Economic Development
Goal 6: Support sustainable development, renewable energy and recycling initiatives, low impact development, and other Green activities.

Circulation
Goal 1: Improve and maintain the Town's public roadway system to assure adequate service, maximize public safety, accommodate desirable growth, and serve existing and future land use patterns.

Circulation
Goal 2: Make the Town increasingly more walk-able and bikeable by creating and maintaining safe interconnected pedestrian and bicycle routes between key destinations.

Circulation
Goal 3: Work to improve existing and develop new public transportation options for the Town's residents and visitors, as well as the business community and their employees.

Circulation
Goal 4: Promote commuter ridesharing options for Franklin residents, and employees of Franklin employers that live outside the community.

Circulation
Goal 5: Improve vehicle and pedestrian circulation and availability of Parking in the Downtown area.

Circulation
Goal 6: Support sustainable development, renewable energy and recycling initiatives, low impact development, and other Green activities.

Housing
Goal 1: Provide the appropriate mix of housing alternatives that meet the needs of Franklin based employment.

Housing
Goal 2: Support development of affordable housing opportunities for low, moderate and middle-income households. Refer to the Town of Franklin Affordable Housing Strategy & Development Action Plan of March 2011.

Housing
Goal 3: Assure large residential developments requiring special permits are concentrated where adequate utilities are available and where proposed project impacts will not significantly impact roadway circulation level of service.

Housing
Goal 4: Encourage, rezone as required, and support housing appropriate for expected future demographics.

Housing
Goal 5: Encourage future housing developments to take advantage of public transportation resources, including the MBTA commuter rail, and GATRA bus service.

Housing
Goal 6: Support sustainable development, renewable energy and recycling initiatives, low impact development, and other Green activities during all public and privately funded housing developments (Refer to OSRP Objective 4.3 and subsequent actions.

Natural, Cultural & Historic Resources

Goal 1: Protect, preserve and enhance Franklins natural resources.

Natural, Cultural & Historic Resources

Goal 2: Provide quality arts and cultural resources as a vital part of the creativity and growth of our community.

Natural, Cultural & Historic Resources

Goal 3: Preserve and protect community resources representative of the Towns natural or cultural history and community attributes

Natural, Cultural & Historic Resources

Goal 4: Advocate for the preservation and protection of Franklins natural, cultural and historic resources.

Natural, Cultural & Historic Resources

Goal 5: Implement growth management, sustainable development and low impact development techniques to preserve, protect and enhance the Town's natural, cultural and historic resources.

Natural, Cultural & Historic Resources

Goal 6: Continue to implement the Goals, Objectives and Action items of the Town of Franklin 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan.

Open Space & Recreation

Goal 1: Document the Towns open space and recreational resources, and improve public awareness of these resources and the recreational opportunities they provide to residents through increased education, signage, publicity and events.

Open Space & Recreation

Goal 2: Preserve and enhance existing unprotected natural and open space resources in Franklin.

Open Space & Recreation

Goal 3: Provide opportunities for passive and active recreation to meet the communitys evolving needs.

Open Space & Recreation

Goal 4: Implement sustainable practices in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of Franklins public parks and playgrounds.

Open Space & Recreation

Goal 5: Implement the goals, objectives and actions outlined within the Revised 7-year Action Plan (Section 9) of the Town of Franklins Open Space and Recreation Plan.

Open Space & Recreation

Goal 6: Work to obtain the funding and other resources necessary to implement the open space and recreation goals, objectives and actions outlined above.

Community Services and Facilities

Goal 1: Regularly utilize the Master Plan in developing annual budgets and prioritizing capital improvements, programs and services.

Community Services and Facilities

Goal 2: Obtain sufficient resources to implement the Master Plans priority capital improvements, programs and services.

Community Services and Facilities

Goal 3: Maintain, update and expand the Towns utilities, infrastructure and facilities to satisfy the demands of the Town into the future, without infringing on previously established plans for conservation or preservation.

Community Services and Facilities

Goal 4: Superb delivery of public services.

Community Services and Facilities

Goal 5: Maintain the quality of Franklins Municipal buildings, Public School facilities, and all other town owned properties, and utilize facilities as effectively as possible.

Community Services and Facilities

Goal 6: Implement the School Departments Strategic Plan.

Community Services and Facilities

Goal 7: Support sustainable development, renewable energy, recycling, low impact development, and other green initiatives.

Implementation
Vital piece of project Committee to oversee
prioritize Goals, Objectives and Actions ID additional actions Parties & timelines Present to Council

Implementation tool
Goals & objectives for all elements

pen for Public Review WE WANT YOUR INPUT

The Public Comment Period begins today and continues until 1:00 P.M. Friday, August 16, 2013.

Where to View the Draft Master Plan:

Hard copies are available for review at: Planning and Community Development Department, 335 East Central Street Franklin Public Library, 118 Main Street Electronic copies are available at:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/masterplandoc/doc.pdf

pen for Public Review

Comments on the Draft Master Plan can be made in the following ways:
Mail: Planning and Community Development Department 335 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038-1352 E-Mail: bdahlstrom@franklin.ma.us Franklins Town Website:
http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/masterinput

Or you can join us at our Public Hearing: 10:00 a.m. Saturday August 10, 2013, at the Franklin Public Library

Timeline for Review of Draft Plan and Completion of Final Master Plan
Public Comment Period begins: July 17, 2013 Draft Master Plan Public Hearing: August 10, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Public Comment Period ends: August 16, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. Utilize Public Input to create Final Master Plan Planning Board Adoption of Final Master Plan: September 18, 2013 (Proposed) Town Council Adoption of Final Master Plan: September 18, 2013 (Proposed)